COMMENT: Sheffield is big enough for a thriving Meadowhall AND a thriving city centre

Today’s news of the huge expansion at Meadowhall will be greeted by everyone with absolute delight. Won’t it?

Well, just in case, I thought I would head off doom-mongers before they start with the usual accusations.

“Meadowhall killed Sheffield city centre and this is just another nail in the coffin.”

Give over.

That argument needs to be consigned to history.

The fourth biggest city in the country needs a heart that is strong enough and unique enough to take on out-of-town alternatives and so much more.

It shouldn’t be seen as competition but, and again it comes back to needing one huge overall plan, as another string to Sheffield’s bow.

There are interesting plans in the pipeline for the city centre – and you’ll find out about a few in tomorrow’s Star. Hopefully there are many, many more to come but it needs to be different.

If this city can focus its wonderful independent traders and producers to work together, we will be halfway there.

Until then we need to remember the real competition is not within our city boundaries.

What do YOU think? Use the Comments section below to have your say.